Hair straightening apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hair straightening apparatus is provided. The hair straightening apparatus includes a handle end and a heated application end extending from the handle end and including a heating element and a first set of combs. The hair straightening apparatus further includes a clamping mechanism extending from and hinged to the handle end for engagement between individual combs of the first set of combs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of hair care, and moreparticularly, to a hair straightening apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many devices have been development to aid in the styling of hair. Haircurlers, or curling irons, impart curls into hair by applying heat to arod around which the hair is wound. Hair straighteners and smoothersoperate using a similar premise, and typically include heat conductingelements between which hair is clamped and pulled through. The heatconducting elements are conventionally flat surfaces. Hair straightenersconventionally use a pair of untextured surfaces for engaging the hair.As a result, the hair can require additional brushing in order toachieve the desired style. Further, hair straighteners are generallyconfigured for use with long hair, while separate devices, such asheated combs, may be configured for use with short hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to address at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention relatesto an improved hair straightening apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a hair straighteningapparatus is provided. The hair straightening apparatus includes ahandle end and a heated application end extending from the handle endand including a heating element and a first set of combs. The hairstraightening apparatus further includes a clamping mechanism extendingfrom and hinged to the handle end for engagement between individualcombs of the first set of combs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hairstraightening apparatus is provided that includes a handle end. The hairstraightening apparatus also includes a heated application end extendingfrom the handle end and including a heating element, a first set ofcombs, and a second set of combs. The first set of combs and the secondset of combs extend in opposing directions perpendicular to a length ofthe handle end and the heated application end. The hair straighteningapparatus also includes a clamping mechanism extending from and hingedto the handle end for engagement with the heated application end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hair straightening apparatus in aclosed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a magnified view of a top surface ofthe hair straightening apparatus shown in FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a magnified view of a bottom surface ofthe hair straightening apparatus shown in FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hair straightening apparatus in anopen position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a magnified view of a top surface ofthe hair straightening apparatus shown in FIG. 4, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a magnified view of a bottom surface ofthe hair straightening apparatus shown in FIG. 4, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a front view of the hair straighteningapparatus shown in FIG. 4, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a front perspective view of the hairstraightening apparatus shown in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar componentsmay be designated by the same or similar reference numerals althoughthey are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions ofconstructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoidobscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a diagram illustrates a hairstraightening apparatus in a closed position, according to an embodimentof the present invention. A hair straightening apparatus 100 includes ahandle end 102 and a heated application end 104. The handle end 102includes a power button 106, a temperature dial 108, and first andsecond indicators 110 and 112. The power button 106 is used to turn thehair straightening apparatus 100 on and off, while the temperature dial108 provides a means to adjust the temperature at the heated applicationend 104. More specifically, when the temperature dial 108 is rotated ina first direction the temperature at the heated application end 104 isincreased, and when the temperature dial 108 is rotated in a seconddirection, which is opposite the first direction, the temperature at theheated application end 104 is decreased. The first and second indicators110 and 112 are utilized to provide an indication of the power status ofthe hair straightening apparatus 100 and a temperature set for theheated application end 104. Specifically, the first indicator 110 may beembodied as a magnifying lens that allows a user to view a temperaturethat is written on a front face of the temperature dial 108 within thehandle end 102. As the temperature dial 108 is rotated, a differenttemperature is viewed through the magnifying lens. The second indicator112 may be embodied as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that is lit with afirst specified color when the power status of the hair straighteningapparatus 100 is on. The second indicator 112 is not lit when the hairstraightening apparatus is off. In an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, the second indicator may be lit with a second color,different from the first specified color, when the hair straighteningapparatus 100 is off but remains connected to a power source.

Different numbers and configurations of buttons, dials and indicatorsmay be provided in accordance with additional embodiments of the presentinvention. Further, additional buttons, dials and indicators may beprovided with different purposes in the operation of the hairstraightening apparatus 100, according to additional embodiments of thepresent invention.

A grip 114 is disposed at a distal end of the heated application end104, furthest from the handle end 102. The grip 114 allows a user of thehair straightening apparatus 100 to secure the hair straighteningapparatus 100 with a second hand, when the hair straightening apparatus100 is in use. The grip 114 may be embodied as a contoured projectionthat is formed from a plastic, or another non-conductive material, sothat heat from the heated application end 104 is not transferred to thehand of the user.

A power cord 116 extends from a proximal end of the handle end 102,furthest from the heated application end 104, in order to provideelectricity to the hair straightening apparatus 100. The power cord 116may be disposed at any point on the handle end 102 of the hairstraightening apparatus 100 that allows a user to still comfortably holdthe handle end 102 of the hair straightening apparatus 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a diagram illustrates a magnified view of a topsurface of the hair straightening apparatus of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The top surface of the heatedapplication end 104 includes a first set of combs, which includes afirst fine tooth comb 202 and a second fine tooth comb 204. The firstfine tooth comb 202 and the second fine tooth comb 204 extend in adirection that is substantially perpendicular to the length of theheated application end 104 and the handle end 102. Further, the firstfine tooth comb 202 and the second fine tooth comb 204 extend along amajority of the length of opposing sides of the heated application end104.

A heating element 206 extends within a majority of the length of theheated application end 104. The heating element 206 may be constructedof aluminum and coated in either titanium or ceramic, for example. Theheating element 206 is substantially barrel-shaped, and is disposedbelow the first fine tooth comb 202 and the second fine tooth comb 204such that only a curved top most portion of the heating element 206extends between the first fine tooth comb 202 and the second fine toothcomb 204. However, the curved top-most portion of the heating element206 does not extend above a height of the first fine tooth comb 202 andthe second fine tooth comb 204.

The hair straightening apparatus 100 is used in the closed position tostraighten short hair. When using the hair straightening apparatus 100for short hair, a user runs the first fine tooth comb 202 and the secondfine tooth comb 204 through the hair. The hair makes contact with thecurved top-most portion of the heating element 206. However, the heightof the first fine tooth comb 202 and the second fine tooth comb 204prevents the heating element 206 from making contact with a scalp of theuser. The first fine tooth comb 202, the second fine tooth comb 204 andthe heating element 206 of the heated application end 104 act togetherto straighten short hair. The heating element 206 may be embodied in anyshape that allows it to properly heat the short hair when used with thefirst fine tooth comb 202 and the second fine tooth comb 204, withoutdirectly contacting skin of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrates a magnified view of abottom surface of the hair straightening apparatus of FIG. 1, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The bottom surface of theheated application end 104 includes a second set of combs, whichincludes a first wide tooth comb 302 and a second wide tooth comb 304.The first wide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304 extendin a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length of theheated application end 104 and the handle end 102. Further, the firstwide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304 extend in adirection that is opposite that of the first fine tooth comb 202 and thesecond fine tooth comb 204. More specifically, the first wide tooth comb302 is disposed below the first fine tooth comb 202, and the second widetooth comb 304 is disposed below the second fine tooth comb 204. Thus,the first wide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304 arealso disposed on opposing sides of the heated application end 104. Thefirst wide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304 extendalong a majority of the length of the heated application end 104. Theheating element 206 is disposed above and between the first wide toothcomb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304.

A clamping mechanism 306 is engaged between the first wide tooth comb302 and the second wide tooth comb 304. The clamping mechanism 306 is incontact with a surface of the heating element 206 between the first widetooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304. While the heatingelement 206 is generally barrel-shaped, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, the heating element 206 has a flat surface along its lengthfor contact with the clamping mechanism 306. This bottom surface of theheated application end 104 is used to straighten longer hair, asdescribed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 4-7.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a diagram illustrates a hair straighteningapparatus in an open position, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The clamping mechanism 306 is shown disengaged from theheated application end 104 of the hair straightening apparatus 100. Alocking ring 402 is used to disengage the clamping mechanism 306 fromthe heated application end 104. Specifically, the locking ring 402,which is disposed at an end of the handle end 102 closest to the heatedapplication end 104, is rotated around the handle end 102 to disengagethe clamping mechanism 306, such that the hair straightening apparatus100 is in the open position. When in the closed position, the lockingring 402 is disposed over the clamping mechanism 306. However, when inthe open position, the clamping mechanism 306 is permitted to disengagebecause the locking ring 402 is rotated so that it is no longer disposedover the clamping mechanism 306. More specifically, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention, the locking ring 402 is not acomplete ring. An open portion of the ring is rotated such that it isdisposed over the clamping mechanism 306, allowing the clampingmechanism 306 to pass through the circumference of the locking ring 402.The bottom surface of the hair straightening apparatus 100 is able to beused for straightening longer hair when the clamping mechanism 306 isdisengaged. Thus, the locking ring 402 controls whether the top surfaceof the hair straightening apparatus 100 is used for short hair or thebottom surface of the hair straightening apparatus 100 is able to beused for long hair.

The clamping mechanism 306 disengages from the heated application end104 in a manner consistent with its attachment to the handle end 102 ata hinge 404. Specifically, when the locking ring 402 is rotated suchthat its open portion is disposed over the clamping mechanism 306, theclamping mechanism 306 is able to rotate outward at an axis provided atthe hinge 404. In an embodiment of the present invention, an internalspring provides a force separating the clamping mechanism 306 from theheated application end 104 and encouraging disengagement of the clampingmechanism 306 when the locking ring 402 is properly rotated. Further,when a user holds the handle end 102, the user is able to control thepositioning of the clamping mechanism 306 when disengaged. Specifically,since the hinge 404 of the clamping mechanism 306 is disposed at adistal end of the handle end 102, the clamping mechanism also separatesfrom the handle end 102, though at a lesser degree than from the heatedapplication end 104. The user is then able to control the disengagementof the clamping mechanism 306 from the heated application end 104 orprovide a force in a direction for engagement of the clamping mechanism306 with the heated application end 104, when holding the handle end102.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram illustrates a magnified view of a topsurface of the hair straightening apparatus of FIG. 4, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The clamping mechanism 306 includesa heat conducting bar 502 that runs a majority of the length of theclamping mechanism 306. The heat conducting bar 502 may be constructedof aluminum and coated in titanium or ceramic, for example.Specifically, the heat conducting bar 502 is disposed on a side of theclamping mechanism that faces the heating element 206. The heatconducting bar 502 runs from an end of the clamping mechanism 306closest to the handle end 102, to an opposing end of the clampingmechanism closest to the grip 114. However, the heat conducting bar 502stops short of the grip 114, so that heat is not provided near the grip114 when the hair straightening apparatus is in use.

The bottom surface of the hair straightening apparatus 100 is used tostraighten long hair. When the clamping mechanism 306 is in a closedposition, the flat surface of the heat conducting bar 502 comes intocontact with the flat surface of the heating element 206. After power isturned on and a temperature is selected, heat is supplied to the heatingelement 206 and then transferred from the heating element 206 to theheat conducting bar 502. When both the heating element 206 and the heatconducting bar 502 are heated, the clamping mechanism 306 is disengagedfrom the heated application end 104 by rotating the locking ring 402.The clamping mechanism 306 is then positioned beneath a section of hairof the user, preferably close to the scalp. The clamping mechanism maybe constructed of a plastic, or other non-conductive material, so thatit is not significantly heated from the conducting bar 502 and theheating element 206. The section of hair is then closed between theclamping mechanism 306 and the heated application end 104. The firstwide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304 are inserted intothe section of hair. The hair straightening apparatus 100 is then pulledthrough the section of hair. Thus, the first wide tooth comb 302 is runthrough the section of hair, the section of hair is heated throughcontact with the heating element 206 and the conducting bar 502, and thesecond wide tooth comb 304 is run through the section of hair, thereby,straightening the section of hair.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a diagram illustrates a magnified view of thebottom surface of the hair straightening apparatus of FIG. 4, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The clamping mechanism 306 isshown in an open position. As described above with respect to FIG. 4,the locking ring 402 releases the clamping mechanism 306 from the closedposition when the locking ring 402 is rotated such that an open space inthe locking ring 402 is positioned over the clamping mechanism 306. Thelocking ring 402 rotates around the clamping mechanism 306 within alocking groove 602. When the locking groove 602 is no longer occupied bythe locking ring 402, the clamping mechanism is able to be released fromthe closed position through the assistance of an internal spring.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a diagram illustrates a front view of the hairstraightening apparatus of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. A first guiding post 702 and a second guiding post704 are shown extending downward from the heated application end 104 ofthe hair straightening apparatus. The first guiding post 702 and thesecond guiding post 704 are substantially parallel and extend in linewith the first wide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304,respectively. A third guiding post 706 and a fourth guiding post 708 areshown extending upward from the clamping mechanism 306. The thirdguiding post 706 and the fourth guiding post 708 are also substantiallyparallel. The third guiding post 706 and the fourth guiding post 708 aredisposed such that they are both between the first guiding post 702 andthe second guiding post 704. More specifically, the third guiding post706 is disposed adjacent to an interior face of the first guiding post702, and the fourth guiding post 708 is disposed adjacent to an interiorface of the second guiding post 704. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the first guiding post 702 is always in contact with thethird guiding post 706, and the second guiding post 704 is always incontact with the fourth guiding post 708.

The clamping mechanism 306 is not permitted to open wider than aposition in which the first guiding post 702 is adjacent to the thirdguiding post 706 and the second guiding post 704 is adjacent to thefourth guiding post 708. More specifically, the clamping mechanism 306may be embodied to open approximately 8-15 degrees. Further, the first,second, third and fourth guiding posts 702-708 are disposed at ends ofthe heated application end 104 and the clamping mechanism 306 that areclosest to the handle end 102. Due to the fact that the first guidingpost 702 is always adjacent to the third guiding post 706 and the secondguiding post 704 is always adjacent to the fourth guiding post 708, hairis prevented from entering the handle end 102 when the hairstraightening apparatus is in use. Further, the clamping mechanism 306is guided to open and close along a single plane of motion withoutmoving transversely. More specifically, the clamping mechanism 306 isguided to always close such that the heat conducting bar 502 is incontact with the heating element 206.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a diagram illustrates a front perspective viewof the hair straightening apparatus of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The clamping mechanism 306 is shownin a closed or locked position, with the first guiding post 702 and thesecond guiding post 704 extending downward beyond a circumference of thehandle end 102, a circumference of the locking ring 402, and lengths ofthe first wide tooth comb 302 and the second wide tooth comb 304. Whenthe hair straightening apparatus 100 is not in use, or while the hairstraightening apparatus 100 is heating for use, the hair straighteningapparatus 100 may rest on ends of the first guiding post 702 and thesecond guiding post 704. By resting on the ends of the first guidingpost 702 and the second guiding post 704, the heating element 206 andthe heat conducting element 502 are not in close proximity to thesurface upon which the hair straightening apparatus rests.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair straightening apparatus comprising: ahandle end; a heated application end extending from the handle end andcomprising a heating element and a first set of combs; a clampingmechanism extending from and hinged to the handle end for engagementbetween individual combs of the first set of combs.
 2. The hairstraightening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of combsextend in a same direction perpendicular to a length of the handle endand the heated application end, and wherein the first set of combs runalong a majority of the length of a side of the heated application end.3. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clampingmechanism comprises a heat conducting bar that contacts the heatingelement, when the clamping mechanism is engaged with the heatedapplication end.
 4. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe heating element is substantially barrel-shaped and runs a majorityof a length of the heated application end between and above the firstset of combs.
 5. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe heating element has a flat surface that faces the heat conductingbar.
 6. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga locking ring, rotatable around the handle end, which disengages theclamping mechanism from the heated application end when rotated to aspecified position.
 7. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 6,wherein the specified position is a position in which an open portion ofthe locking ring is positioned at the clamping mechanism so that theclamping mechanism may pass through a circumference of the locking ringand disengage from the heated application end.
 8. The hair straighteningapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: first and second guiding postsextending in a direction perpendicular from lengths of the handle endand the heated application end, and disposed at an end of the heatedapplication end closest to the handle end; and third and fourth guidingposts extending in a direction perpendicular from a length of clampingmechanism and opposite that of the first and second guiding posts,wherein the third and fourth guiding posts are disposed between thefirst and second guiding posts.
 9. The hair straightening apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the first guiding post remains in contact with thethird guiding post, and the second guiding post remains in contact withthe fourth guiding post throughout disengagement of the clampingmechanism from the heated application end.
 10. The hair straighteningapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hinge that allows forengagement and disengagement of the clamping mechanism with the heatedapplication end, wherein the hinge is disposed at an end of the handleend that is furthest from the heated application end.
 11. A hairstraightening apparatus comprising: a handle end; a heated applicationend extending from the handle end and comprising a heating element, afirst set of combs, and a second set of combs, wherein the first set ofcombs and the second set of combs extend in opposing directionsperpendicular to a length of the handle end and the heated applicationend; and a clamping mechanism extending from and hinged to the handleend for engagement with the heated application end.
 12. The hairstraightening apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first set of combsextend in a same direction perpendicular to a length of the handle endand the heated application end, and wherein the first set of combs runalong a majority of the length of a side of the heated application end.13. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clampingmechanism comprises a heat conducting bar that contacts the heatingelement, when the clamping mechanism is engaged with the heatedapplication end.
 14. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 12,wherein the heating element is substantially barrel-shaped and runs amajority of a length of the heated application end between and above thefirst set of combs.
 15. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 14,wherein the heating element has a flat surface that faces the heatconducting bar.
 16. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a locking ring, rotatable around the handle end,which disengages the clamping mechanism from the heated application endwhen rotated to a specified position.
 17. The hair straighteningapparatus of claim 16, wherein the specified position is a position inwhich an open portion of the locking ring is positioned at the clampingmechanism so that the clamping mechanism may pass through acircumference of the locking ring and disengage from the heatedapplication end.
 18. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 11,further comprising: first and second guiding posts extending in adirection perpendicular from lengths of the handle end and the heatedapplication end, and disposed at an end of the heated application endclosest to the handle end; and third and fourth guiding posts extendingin a direction perpendicular from a length of clamping mechanism andopposite that of the first and second guiding posts, wherein the thirdand fourth guiding posts are disposed between the first and secondguiding posts.
 19. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe first guiding post remains in contact with the third guiding post,and the second guiding post remains in contact with the fourth guidingpost throughout disengagement of the clamping mechanism from the heatedapplication end.
 20. The hair straightening apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a hinge that allows for engagement and disengagementof the clamping mechanism with the heated application end, wherein thehinge is disposed at an end of the handle end that is furthest from theheated application end.